Tablets with improved friability

ABSTRACT

Tablets are prepared with friability reducing agents to yield tablets that are more resistant to breakage or crumbling, but with satisfactory hardness. The friability reducing agents include low molecular weight polyethylene glycol as well as similar agents exhibiting at least three percent (3%) hydroxide moieties and a water solubility of at least eighty percent (80%) (w/w %) in room temperature water. The tablets may comprise an active agent and excipient of almost any type, and about 0.1-about 0.5% by weight friability reducing agent. They exhibit a hardness of at least eighty percent (80%) of the same tablet prepared without the friability reducing agent.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Background of the Technology

To those versed in the art and science of tableting, the term friabilitydescribes a tablet's propensity to crumble. When a tablet formulationdisplays high friability, it crumbles easily. This is not a good thing.Highly friable tablets are difficult to convey during production and arehard to package and transport. Consumers, reasonably, expect theirtablet products to be unbroken and whole.

This invention is based on the inclusion of lower molecular weightpolyethylene glycol (low MW PEG) in tablet formulations. These PEGs areliquid at room temperature (melting points below about 35° C.). Theyhave average molecular weights of about 200 to 800. We have discoveredthat low molecular weight PEG has the surprising benefit of dramaticallyimproving the friability of tablet formulations.

Background of the Prior Art

This performance is not known in the art. In fact, the majormanufacturer of PEG, Dow Chemical Company, teaches away from using lowMW PEG for tableting in their sales literature (referencedow-answer.custhelp.com: Carbowax™ Sentry™ PEGS & MPEGS forPharmaceuticals; answer id 3561, Carbowax™ Sentry™ Polyethylene Glycolsfor Cosmetics and Personal Care (answer id 3541) and Carbowax™ Sentry™Polyethylene Glycols (form no 118-01790-1011 AMS)). Searches of theUnited States and European patent literature do not yield results thatteach the inclusion of low MW PEG in tablet formulations, let alone forits ability to improve tablet friability.

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a polymer frequently used in tabletformulations. Higher molecular weight PEG is commonly used a binderand/or as a lubricant. Typically, PEG with average molecular weight 8000(INCI nomenclature PEG-180, trade name: Carbowax™ 8000) is used for thisfunction. PEGs with slightly lower MW (down to about MW 4000) are alsoknown to be used for this function. The higher molecular weight PEGs aresolid at room temperature and have melting points around 50-60° C.Numerous citations of these materials being used for these functions canbe found in the art.

Dow Chemical Company's publication “Carbowax™ Sentry™ PolyethyleneGlycols” (form no. 118-01790-1011 AMS, page 8, obtained from the dow.comwebsite) indicates that materials with slightly lower molecular weight,“MW 1450 and higher” can be used as processing aids for granulations.This reference however goes on to state that “high MW materials such asPEG 8000 preferred” for this purpose.

There are references in the patent art to PEGs with slightly lowermolecular weights being used as granulation aids. U.S. Pat. No.5,403,593 teaches PEGs with molecular weight as low as about 3000 (Col.5, line 19 and claim 3) for this purpose. Although no clear reason ordata is presented in the patent, claim 2 includes PEG with “averagemolecular weight of at least 900” as part of a granulating medium. Asnoted at column 2, line 64, “the compositions of the invention areprepared by a melt granulation process, in the substantial absence ofadded liquid solvents”. Examples 1 and 2 note that tablets made frominventive granulations have low friability (column 9, line 51; column10, line 47). However, it is not possible for one skilled in the art toinfer that this performance can be caused by low MW PEG, as the examplecompositions only contain PEG 8000.

U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011/0112160, at claim 6, describes a tabletwith an excipient comprising PEG with MW in the range of 400 to 20,000.None of the examples of this application include PEGs with MW lower than4000. Although the application states that acceptable friability can beachieved (P0023, P0051) using this technology, no data is given thatwould allow someone skilled in the art to learn low MW PEG's ability toaffect this property. In fact, P0053 explicitly states that PEG 4000 ispreferred.

U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011/0135738 is similar to the aboveapplication. It names the same inventors and has the same assignee. Likethe previous application, the use of PEG 400 in a tablet is recited(claim 2). Also like the above application, there is no teaching thatwould enable one skilled in the art to use low molecular PEG as afriability improver. Again, PEG-4000 is explicitly taught as thepreferred material (P0053).

U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011/0136883 (same assignee as above two (2)references, one common inventor) speaks directly to use of PEG-400 intablet formulations. This reference is not predictive of the instantinvention. While Example 4 (Table 2) teaches the use of PEG 400 at fivepercent (5%), the test results shown in Table 4 do not exhibit thedramatic decrease in friability discovered in our invention. TheApplication's data shows a drop in friability (0.10% without PEG 400,0.05% with it) and a decrease in hardness (140-220 N without PEG-400,110-130 with it). Tablets prepared according to our invention do notexhibit the loss in hardness. More importantly, our discovery is thatlow MW PEG has a much greater impact on friability at much lower levelsthan taught here. In fact, we are not even able to make acceptabletablets when PEG 400 is utilized at five percent (5%).

U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011/0262497 (same inventor and assignee asimmediate above application) mentions the use of liquid polyethyleneglycols as a possible excipient at P0029. However there is no teachinganywhere in this application as to the benefits and/or functions ofdoing so.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,093,710 is directed to the preparation of powders orgranules of small size, smaller than 20 mesh (a higher mesh number meansa smaller sized particle). This patent refers to the use of a surfactantfor use in the granulating solution employed. The surfactant may bepolyethylene glycol of PEG 400PEG 9000, as well as other surfactantssuch as sodium lauryl sulfate. PEG 1540 is identified as the preferredsurfactant. As this patent is directed to the preparation of freeflowing, rapidly dissolving powders or small granules, friability andrelated properties are not discussed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

We have discovered that low molecular polyethylene glycols candramatically improve the friability of tablet formulations whenincorporated at surprisingly low levels. In particular, polyethyleneglycols in the range of about PEG 200 to about PEG 1000 give superiorperformance and improvement in friability, without a significant loss inhardness or other properties, when formulating tablets in otherwisecustomary fashion. The level of incorporation of low molecular weightand similar compounds at low weight percentage gives improvements thatare particularly surprising. In fact, at weight levels of the overalltablet weight at about 0.1-about 5.0%, striking improvements infriability are observed. At higher levels, above about five percent(5.0% w/weight of the tablet) an unacceptable loss of hardness isobserved. Hardness of a tablet is impacted by a wide variety of factors,one of which is the character of the central or active agent of thetablet, as well as the excipients included therewith. As a result, anabsolute standard or range for hardness of the tablets of the inventionis difficult to establish. The tablets of this invention have reducedfriability and exhibit at least eighty percent (80%) of the hardness thesame tablet would exhibit in the absence of the agent to reducefriability. The hardness exhibited by the tablets of this invention maybe 85, 90, 95 or even 100% of the hardness of the same tablet madewithout the friability reducing agent.

While polyethylene glycol of the molecular weight PEG 200-PEG 1000 isthe preferred friability improvement agent of this invention, othersimilar compounds are effective in improving friability (resistance tocrumbling) without sacrificing other desirable properties. In additionto polyethylene glycol, other glycols, such as polypropylene glycol andmethoxypolyethylene glycol at relatively low molecular weights (PPG425-about PPG 1000; MPEG 350-about MPEG 1000) are also effective inimproving tablet friability at less than about five percent (5.0%) byweight. Other high hydroxide content materials that are at leastpartially water soluble, like glycerin and Tween® 80 are also effectivein this role.

The invention therefor is focused not on powders or granules, but ontablets (tablet diameter is typically at least ¾ inch diameter), and inparticular, tablets of low friability, tablets that exhibit a resistanceto crumbling or breakage or chipping. The tablets require an activeagent of some sort—the agent that is being delivered to the consumer inthe tablet dosage. This might be a flavor, an aroma, a medication (e.g.,pharmaceutical prescription or OTC, a gastric acid neutralizer, alaxative, an anti-flatulent, etc.) a nutritional product, a bleach, adetergent, an herbicide or insecticide or bactericide, or any otheragent that is to be consumed or used. In preferred embodiments, thetablet may comprise more than one active agent.

Typically, the tablet will also include an excipient of some type, toaid in delivery of the desired active agent. Excipients are widelyknown, and can be selected from any chemical class that does not impactthe desired physical properties of the tablet. Many excipients arestabilizers and add bulk to the tablet, and may function as binders,such as saccharides and polysaccharides, sugar alcohols such as sorbitolor xylitol, dicalcium phosphate, microcrystalline cellulose, variousproteins and synthetic polymers. Other excipients commonly employed inthe tablet art are lubricants, coatings and disintegrants, all of whichare compatible with the friability reducing agents of the invention.Many excipients are featured in the examples set forth below, but arenot so limited, and excipients as would be recognized as commonly usefulin the preparation of tablets by those of skill in that art may begenerally useful in the invention. The tablet need not effervesce orotherwise demonstrate active properties other than dissolution onwetting, but in one embodiment, the tablet does comprise a dryeffervescent couple (typically, an organic acid like citric, fumaric ormalic acid together with a carbonate or bicarbonate such as sodium orpotassium bicarbonate) that will generate carbon dioxide when the tabletis wetted, or preferably immersed, such as a drink or bathingformulation.

Thus, the invention is focused in terms of the properties of theadditive to reduce friability, but otherwise generally inclusive of thecomponents and purposes to which tablets are commonly put. The tabletgenerally includes an active agent of some type, and an excipient chosento be compatible with that active agent. The excipient may improveshape, appearance, flavor, texture or other features of the tablet. Awide variety of optional agents, depending on the ultimate utility ofthe tablet, may be incorporated. These include flavorants, colorants,aromatic agents, dispersants, preservatives, lubricants, etc. Thetablets of the invention further comprise an agent to reduce friabilityupon tableting, present in amounts of about 0.1-about 5.0 percent byweight of a compound having a solubility in room temperature water of atleast eighty percent (80%) (w/w%) and is comprised of at least threepercent (3%) by weight —OH moieties, and wherein said tablet with saidfriability reducing agent exhibits a hardness of at least eighty percent(80%) of the hardness of that same tablet prepared in the absence ofsaid additive.

SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THE INVENTION

The following examples demonstrate this performance. The examples areprovided for purposes of demonstration only, and are not intended tolimit the invention in any way. Other active agents and excipients, aswell as other agents effective in reducing friability, within the broadparameters set forth above, will occur to those of skill in the art.

Example 1: Denture Cleanser Tablet

The following base denture cleanser formula was prepared by blending theindicated ingredients (Table 1) using conventional powder mixingequipment.

TABLE 1 Material % w/w Sodium Bicarbonate 25.0 Citric Acid 20.0 SodiumCarbonate 15.0 Potassium Monopersulfate 10.0 Sodium PerborateMonohydrate 10.0 Maltodextrin 9.5 Sodium Sulfate 8.7 Sodium LaurylSulfoacetate 0.7 PEG 8000 0.7 Flavor Oil 0.3 Sodium Benzoate 0.1 Total100.0

Formulations that demonstrate the invention were prepared by adding theindicated amount of PEG 400. The formulas were balanced to one hundredpercent (100%) by reducing the amount of sodium sulfate.

Tablets were compressed using ⅞″ round tooling on a Stokes F press.Compression force was adjusted to give the hardest possible tablet(limit set by capability of the press or by the appearance of tabletcapping). Data is shown in Table 2.

Hardness was measured using a Schuleuniger-4M tablet hardness tester.

Friability was measured in a manner similar to that described in theUSP-NF, Chapter <1216>. The USP-NF method was modified in that thenumber of tablet used and the method of calculation were changed asindicated here. Ten (10) tablets were placed in an Erweka TA friabilityapparatus. The tablets were tumbled at 25 rpm for the indicated numberof minutes. The percentage of unbroken tablets is reported.

Dissolution time was measured by placing a tablet in 125 ml of water at25° C. The time needed for essentially complete dissolution is reported.

TABLE 2 Friability (% whole tablets) PEG 400 Weight Hardness Thickness 24 6 8 10 Dissolution concentration (g) (kp) (mm) min min min min minTime (sec)  0% 2.69 7.8 3.96 70 10 0 0 0 83 0.1% 2.70 8.2 3.95 100 85 4015 5 82 0.6% 2.69 9.0 3.82 100 100 100 100 100 103 1.0% 2.65 8.5 3.85100 100 100 100 100 145 5.0% 2.80 4.6 4.21 100 100 100 100 100 71

This data clearly shows the effect of PEG 400 on the denture cleansercomposition. Below five percent (5%) PEG 400, friability is unexpectedlyand dramatically improved while hardness and dissolution time are notsignificantly affected. At five percent (5%) though, the tablet'shardness is decreased to an unacceptable level.

Example 2: Alternate Molecular Weight PEGs

The effect of different molecular weight PEGs was investigated. The PEGslisted in Table 3 were evaluated using the formula shown in Table 1.0.6% PEG was used in each trial. The formulas were balanced to 100% byreducing sodium sulfate. Data is shown below.

TABLE 3 Friability (% Whole Tablets) Weight Hardness Thickness 2 4 6 810 Dissolution PEG MW (g) (kp) (mm) min min min min min Time (sec) None(control) 2.69 7.8 3.96 70 10 0 0 0 83 200 2.66 8.1 3.92 100 100 100 100100 72 400 2.69 9.0 3.82 100 100 100 100 100 103 600 2.69 7.5 3.94 100100 100 100 100 145 1000 2.71 7.4 3.98 100 85 30 0 0 82 1450 2.62 6.63.90 60 20 5 0 0 73Clearly, the friability benefit of the invention is maximized when usingPEGs with MW between 200 and 1,000. The drop in performance at MW 1450is surprising.

Example 3: Alternate Materials Similar in Structure to PEG

Materials with chemical structures somewhat similar to PEG were testedto assess their performance in reducing tablet friability. That is, weassessed hydrophilic materials that are ethoxylated or propoxylated. Arange of chain length materials were investigated. For comparisonpurposes, we also looked at a hydrophobic material (mineral oil) andglycerin (as a very short chain, high hydroxyl content material). Theseassessments were conducted using the denture cleanser formulation shownin Table 1.

Data from these experiments are presented in Table 4:

TABLE 4 Friability (% Whole Tablets) Material added Weight Hardness 2 46 8 10 (0.6% formula) Structure (g) (kp) min min min min min No additive— 2.69 7.8  70  10  0  0  0 PEG 400 H—(O—CH₂—CH₂)₈—OH 2.69 9.0 100 100100 100 100 Polypropylene glycol H—(O—CH(CH₃)CH₂)₄—OH 2.64 8.0 100 100100 100 100 250 (PPG-4) Polypropylene glycol H—(O—CH(CH₃)—CH₂)₉—OH 2.677.5 100  80  55  30  0 425 (PPG-9) Polypropylene glycolH—(O—CH(CH₃)—CH₂)₁₀—OH 2.65 6.5 100  70  30  10  0 700 (PPG-10)Polypropylene glycol H—(O—CH(CH₃)—CH₂)₂₆—OH 2.67 3.7  20  0  0  0  02000 (PPG-26) Methoxypolyethylene CH₃—(O—CH₂—CH₂)₆—OH 2.66 6.4 100 100100 100 100 glycol 350 (MPEG-6) Methoxypolyethylene CH₃—(O—CH₂—CH₂)₁₀—OH2.66 6.4 100 100 100 100 100 glycol 550 (MPEG-10) Tween 80 (Polysorbate80)

2.69 5.6 100 100  90  95  85 Mineral Oil C_(n)H_(2n+2 n=12−40) 2.65 7.4 90  60  30  0  0 Glycerin OH—CH₂—C(OH)—CH₂—OH 2.65 9.5 100 100 100 100100

In an attempt to understand what chemical properties of the testedmaterials are critical to improving friability, we looked at some of thephysical properties of the tested materials. Table 5 provides thesecomparisons:

TABLE 5 Friablilty Appearance at Room Material improvement Solubility inWater (w/w %) Temperature PEG 200 Yes 100% Clear viscous liquid PEG 400Yes 100% Clear viscous liquid PEG 600 Yes 100% Clear viscous liquid PEG1000 Somewhat  80% Soft, Opaque white solid PEG 1450 No  72% Soft,Opaque white solid MPEG 350 Yes 100% Clear viscous liquid MPEG 550 Yes100% Clear viscous liquid PPG 250 Yes 100% Clear viscous liquid PPG 425Yes Soluble at room temperature, but Clear viscous liquid insoluble athigher temperatures PPG 700 Somewhat Soluble to slightly soluble atClear viscous liquid room temperature PPG 2000 No  0% Clear viscousliquid Tween 80 Yes 100% Clear viscous liquid (yellow) Mineral Oil No 0% Clear viscous liquid Glycerin Yes 100% Clear viscous liquid

Examining these data, it appears that agents which are at least somewhatsoluble in water at room temperature exhibit the inventive effect. Itwill be evident that the friability reducing agents of this inventionare physically and chemically compatible with each other. Accordingly,they may be used in combination and in mixtures. Given the desirabilityof limiting the amount of the friability reducing agent present in thetablet in general, the Examples herein focus on one agent or another,but multiple agents could be used together, provided the weight limitsare observed, and any reduction in hardness is controlled

Example 4: Acids Other than Citric Acid

Denture cleanser tablets formulated according to Table 1, with PEG 400at included at the indicated level were produced with acids other thancitric acid. This was done to ascertain if the inventive effect islimited to products based only on citric acid. Table 6 displays theresults of this experiment:

TABLE 6 Friability (% Whole Tablets) PEG 400 Weight Hardness 2 4 6 8 10Acid level (%) (g) (kp) min min min min min Citric Acid 0 2.69 7.77 7010 0 0 0 Citric Acid 0.6 2.69 8.96 100 100 100 100 100 Fumaric Acid 02.61 5.09 25 0 0 0 0 Fumaric Acid 0.6 2.60 5.80 100 100 95 90 85 MalicAcid 0 n/a n/a — — — — — Malic Acid 0.6 2.39 5.28 100 100 100 100 100Sodium Bisulfate 0 2.66 6.56 10 0 0 0 0 Sodium Bisulfate 0.6 2.70 5.9985 40 10 0 0

The above data clearly show the benefits of including PEG 400 in theformulation. Most notably, and surprisingly, tablets made with malicacid could not be produced without inclusion of the low molecular weightPEG.

Product formulations other than denture tablets were also studied.Examples follow.

Example 5: Vitamin C Drink Tablet

An effervescent Vitamin C tablet (designed to dissolve in water beforeingesting) was developed using the composition shown in Table 7. Theformula was prepared by blending the indicated ingredients usingconventional powder mixing equipment.

TABLE 7 Material % w/w Ascorbic Acid 33.4 Citric Acid 33.4 SodiumBicarbonate 8.3 Potassium Bicarbonate 8.3 Sorbitol 8.6 Maltodextrin 2.0Flavor Oil 0.2 Sucralose 0.4 PEG 8000 4.4 Sodium Benzoate 1.0 Total100.0

Formulations that demonstrate the invention were prepared by adding theindicated amount of PEG 400. The formulas were balanced to one hundredpercent (100%) by reducing the amount of sorbitol.

Three (3) gram tablets were compressed using ⅞″ round tooling on aStokes F press. Compression force was adjusted to give the hardestpossible tablet (limit set by capability of the press or by appearanceof tablet capping).

These tablets were evaluated by the same methods discussed above. Dataare shown in Table 8.

TABLE 8 Friability (% Whole Tablets) PEG 400 Weight Hardness Thickness 24 6 8 10 concentration (g) (kp) (mm) min min min min min Comments 0 2.955.4 5.03 50 0 0 0 0 — 0.1% 2.99 6.1 5.06 100 95 60 25 5 — 0.6% 2.92 6.74.92 100 100 100 100 100 — 1.0% 2.78 3.7 5.05 100 100 100 100 100 — 5.0%— — — — — — — — Tablets could not be pressed due to punch face stickingand sidewall scoring

Again, the addition of a small amount of PEG 400 provides the unexpectedresult of highly improved friability without harm to other properties.

Example 6: Beverage Tablet

An effervescent tablet designed to form a lemon/lime beverage whendissolved in water was formulated as shown in Table 9:

TABLE 9 Material % w/w Citric Acid 54.6 Sodium Bicarbonate 21.2 Sorbitol17.7 Lemon/Lime Flavor Oil 0.9 Acesulfame K 0.4 Aspartame 1.0 PEG 80002.7 Sodium Benzoate 1.5 Total 100.0

Formulations that demonstrate the invention were prepared by adding theindicated amount of PEG 400. The formulas were balanced to one hundredpercent (100%) by reducing the amount of sorbitol.

3.3 gram tablets were compressed using ⅞″ round tooling on a Stokes Fpress. As above, compression force was adjusted to give the hardestpossible tablet (limit set by capability of the press or by appearanceof tablet capping).

These tablets were evaluated by the same methods discussed above. Dataare shown in Table 10.

TABLE 10 Friability (% Whole Tablets) PEG 400 Weight Hardness Thickness2 4 6 8 10 concentration (g) (kp) (mm) min min min min min 0 3.27 7.15.60 100 75 35 0 0 0.6% 3.27 7.7 5.55 100 100 100 100 100

Again, the dramatic effect of low molecular weight PEG addition wasdemonstrated.

It may be noted that all of the formulations in the above examples areeffervescent. That is, they contain one or more organic acids and one ormore carbonate salts. In the presence of water the acid and thecarbonate salt react to release carbon dioxide, creating a bubblingaction that is appealing to consumers and that disperses formulaingredients. Many examples of effervescent products (developed for manyreasons) can be found in the art. Given that effervescent formulationsare somewhat specialized, our inventive technology was also checked in anon-effervescent formulation.

Example 7: Candy Tablet

A tart, sugar based candy tablet was developed according to the formulashown in Table 11. This tablet can be dissolved in the mouth as alozenge.

TABLE 11 Material % w/w Dextrose 44.7 Maltodextrin 44.4 Citric Acid 10.0Lemon/Lime Flavor Oil 0.3 PEG 8000 0.5 Sodium Benzoate 0.1 Total 100.0

Formulations that demonstrate the invention were prepared by adding theindicated amount of PEG 400. The formulas were balanced to one hundredpercent (100%) by reducing the amount of maltodextrin.

2.5 gram tablets were compressed using ⅞″ round tooling on a Stokes Fpress. As above, compression force was adjusted to give the hardestpossible tablet (limit set by capability of the press or by appearanceof tablet capping).

These tablets were evaluated by the same methods discussed above. Dataare shown in Table 12.

TABLE 12 Friability (% Whole Tablets) PEG 400 Weight Hardness Thickness2 4 6 8 10 concentration (g) (kp) (mm) min min min min min Comments 02.38 5.8 4.66 40 0 0 0 0 — 0.1% 2.37 4.7 4.58 70 35 5 0 0 — 0.6% 2.406.0 4.61 100 100 100 85 75 — 1.0% — — — — — — — — Flow issues. Tabletswere not pressed

These data clearly demonstrate the benefits of the invention in anon-effervescent formulation.

While the present invention has been disclosed with references tocertain embodiments, numerous modification, alterations, and changes tothe described embodiments are possible without departing from the sphereand scope of the present invention, as defined in the appended claims.Accordingly, it is intended that the present invention not be limited tothe described embodiments, but that it has the full scope defined by thelanguage of the following claims, and equivalents thereof.

1-10. (canceled)
 11. A tablet exhibiting reduced friability, said tabletcomprising: A) An active agent; B) an excipient compatible with saidactive agent; and C) an agent to reduce friability, wherein said agentto reduce friability is a polyethylene glycol of molecular weight of200-1000, present in amounts of about 0.1%-about 5.0% by weight of thetablet, wherein said tablet comprising said friability reducing agentexhibits a hardness of at least eighty percent (80%) of the hardnessexhibited by said tablet prepared in the absence of said friabilityreducing agent.
 12. The tablet of claim 11, wherein said active agent isselected from the group consisting of a flavor, an aroma, a medication,a nutritional product, a bleach, a detergent, an herbicide, aninsecticide or bactericide
 13. The tablet of claim 11, wherein saidtablet comprises an effervescent couple which combine to release carbondioxide when the tablet is moistened.
 14. The tablet of claim 11 whereinsaid active agent is a medication.
 15. The tablet of claim 13, whereinsaid medication is selected from the group consisting of apharmaceutical preparation available with a prescription, anover-the-counter product, a gastric acid neutralizer, a laxative, and ananti-flatulent.
 16. The tablet of claim 11, wherein said friabilityreducing agent is comprised of polyethylene glycol
 400. 17. The tabletof claim 11, wherein said excipient is a stabilizer, lubricant, abinder, a disintegrant, or a coating.
 18. The tablet of claim 11,wherein said active agent comprises a nutritional product.
 19. Thetablet of claim 11, wherein said tablet is intended for consumption byan animal.
 20. The tablet of claim 19, wherein said animal is a mammal.21. The tablet of claim 20, wherein said mammal is a human.
 22. A tabletexhibiting reduced friability, said tablet comprising: A) An activeagent; B) an excipient compatible with said medication; and C) an agentto reduce friability, wherein said agent to reduce friability isglycerin, present in amounts of about 0.1%-about 5.0% by weight of thetablet, wherein said tablet comprising said friability reducing agentexhibits a hardness of at least eighty percent (80%) of the hardnessexhibited by said tablet prepared in the absence of said friabilityreducing agent.